About the Japan Social Development Fund
The objectives of the JSDF program is to provide grants in support of community-driven development and poverty reduction projects that empower the poorest and most vulnerable groups not reached by other programs and improve their lives through direct benefits. Grants are made to eligible recipient countries, based on income level classification. Unlike most Bank-financed projects that are executed by the government at the central level, JSDF grants are executed by NGOs/CSOs and local governments, implemented at the community level. These features make the JSDF program unique and responsive. A unique and valued feature of the JSDF program is that it provides a platform for cooperation with NGOs and other local stakeholders in the development process. This had led to meaningful progress in areas not previously associated with the Bank’s work with the public sector.
JSDF project proposals are appraised by Bank staff, cleared by Country Directors who ensure alignment with Country Assistance and Poverty Reduction Strategies, and are approved by the Government of Japan. JSDF projects are expected to meet several fundamental criteria, mainly:
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TARGET AND RESPOND TO THE NEEDY, delivering direct benefits to the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged groups, achieving rapid results
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PILOT ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES OR PARTNERSHIPS, utilizing NGOs/CSOs or local governments to reach the target groups
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REFLECT A PARTICIPATORY DESIGN and consultation process with the targeted beneficiaries who endorse the grant inputs
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EMPOWER LOCAL COMMUNITIES, local governments, NGOs/CSOs through capacity building to participate in society and government and to affect their development and learning by doing
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UTILIZE PARTICIPATORY MONITORING AND EVALUATION to help beneficiaries address their vulnerability and to ensure ownership and sustainability
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PROMOTE SCALE-UP OF PILOT AT COMPLETION through Bank-financed operations, recipient government activities, or other entities
JSDF grants are disbursed through the World Bank as Trustee for the JSDF Program, which also oversees implementation and ensures transparency and efficiency in the use of funds in accordance to the Banks Procurement and Financial Management Guidelines.
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